A man who took over a milkshake bar after its previous owner was shot on the premises has closed the shop a year after reopening it.

Ali Rashid, 31, took over Cakes and Shakes in High Road, Woodford Green last February, just three months after previous boss James Bryant was gunned down on the premises by 22-year-old Temidire Owolabi.

Mr Bryant survived the attack and Owolabi was jailed for 24 years, although another man who was alleged to have ordered the hit was cleared.

The shooting shocked the community, and Mr Rashid admitted he had doubts about taking on the business after Mr Bryant’s mother agreed to sell him the franchise.

He promised to make the shop a valued part of the local community and win round residents who said it had become a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

He gave up a lucrative career as a software manager in the city to take on the business, but has now brought the shutters down for the last time.

He said: “Cakes and Shakes is no more.

“Over the months we had a number of complaints to head office in regards to rowdy youngsters and littering.

“We had always intended to work with the community to make the local area a better place to live, however, it seems we were always at odds with a number of local residents.

“As a result, as promised, we stuck to our word and decided to close the shop and relocate.”

Mr Rashid has not revealed where the franchise will move to and it is not known if the shop will now be sold.